Treatment of Cold Symptoms During Pregnancy
Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses cause most colds during the fall and winter. Symptoms often include nasal
obstruction, discharge, sneezing, sore throat, cough and headache. A low grade fevver may be present, but fever to as high as 102o F can also occur. Symptoms lasting for more than two weeks are more likely to be caused by allergies rather than a cold. General Measures Sinusitis
Fever should always be treated in the pregnant patient with
acetaminophen. All patients should be encouraged to drink extra fluids. A
secondary bacterial infections of the sinuses, requiring treatment with
cool mist vaporizer may help to relieve congestion.
antibiotics. Sinusitis with purulent nasal drainage and facial pain lasting
for more than 7 days may be treated with:
If the patient wishes to use over-the-counter medications to address
symptoms the following may be safely recommended:
Azithromycin (Zithromax ®) 500mg
Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton ®)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl ®)
Clemastine (Tavist Allergy ®)
TMP-SMX (Bactrim, Septra ®)* 1
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed ®)* *Avoid in first trimester.
(Robitussin DM Sugar free®) REFERENCES
Acetaminophen (Tylenol ®)
1. 1. Schatz M, et al. The safety of asthma and allergy medications during pregnancy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 100:301-6. 1997. 2. Briggs GG,Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ, Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation 6th edition,Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins,2002. p285
For multiple symptoms the combination medications below may be used.
3. Martinez-Frias ML, Rodriguez-Pinilla E.
However, the patient should attempt to limit medications to treat specific
Epidemiologic analysis of prenatal exposure to
cough medicines containing dextromethorphan: no evidence of human teratogenicity. Teratology, 63:38-41. 2001
Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes
4. Einarson A, et al. The safety of dextromethorphan in pregnancy : results of a
Actifed Cold and Allergy ®
controlled study. Chest. 119:466-9. 2001 5. Shaw GM, Todoroff K, Velie EM, Lammer
Ingredients: Pseudoephedrine ,Triprolidine
EJ: Maternal illness, including fever, and medication use as risk factors for neural tube
Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, fever, and
defects. Teratology 57:1-7, 1998. 6. Aselton P, Jick H, Milunsky A, Hunter JR,
Stergachis A. First-trimester drug use and congenital disorders. Obstet Gynecol. 65:451-5.
Actifed Cold and Sinus ®
Ingredients: Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine.
7. Snow V, Mottur-Pilson C, Hickner JMPrinciples of appropriate antibiotic use for acute sinusitis in adults. Ann Intern Med. 20;134:495-7. 2001 8. Antimicrobial treatment guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 123(1 Pt 2):5-31. 2000
Treatment of Cold Symptoms During Pregnancy Patient Instruction Sheet General Measures
Fever should always be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol ®). You should drink extra fluids. A cool mist vaporizer may help to relieve congestion. Over the Counter (OTC) Cold Remedies
If you wish to use over-the-counter medications to address symptoms the following may be safely recommended:
Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton ®)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl ®)
Clemastine (Tavist Allergy ®)
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed ®)*
Dextromethrophan (Robitussin DM Sugar free ® )
Acetaminophen (Tylenol ®)
For multiple symptoms the combination medications below may be used. However, youshould attempt to limit medications to treat specific symptoms when possible.
Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes
Actifed Cold and Allergy ®
Ingredients: Pseudoephedrine ,Triprolidine
Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, fever, and headache
Actifed Cold and Sinus ® Ingredients: Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine
MANAGEMENT OF MANAGEMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS SYMPTOMS IN THE PHARMACY POCKET GUIDE BASED ON THE ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND ITS IMPACT ON ASTHMA WORKSHOP REPORT In collaboration with the World Health Organization MANAGEMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS SYMPTOMS IN THE PHARMACY POCKET GUIDE A Pocket Guide for Pharmacists • Allergic rhinitis is clinically de
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Treatment of Cold Symptoms During Pregnancy